On July 31, the Planned Parenthood health center in Iowa City will permanently close its doors. After the closure, the Des Moines health center will become the only remaining Planned Parenthood location in Iowa.

For many people, Planned Parenthood is synonymous with abortion care. In reality, abortion is only one part of the comprehensive healthcare these clinics provide. Every year, Planned Parenthood health centers across the country serve millions of patients seeking preventive care, reproductive healthcare, and education that help people stay healthy throughout every stage of life.

Planned Parenthood Offers More Than Abortion Care

Planned Parenthood provides a wide range of essential healthcare services, including:

• Birth control counseling and contraception
• Annual wellness exams
• Cervical cancer screenings and Pap tests
• Breast exams
• STI testing and treatment
• HIV testing and prevention
• Pregnancy testing
• Emergency contraception
• HPV vaccinations
• Fertility and preconception counseling
• Menopause care
• Vasectomies at select locations
• Medication for urinary tract infections and other common reproductive health concerns
• Referrals for prenatal care and other specialists
• Sex education and health education resources
• Abortion care where legally available

For many patients, these routine services represent their primary connection to reproductive healthcare.

Why Clinic Closures Matter

When a healthcare location closes, patients don’t simply lose a building. They often lose convenient access to preventive care.

The closure of the Iowa City clinic means many eastern Iowa residents, including students attending the University of Iowa, may need to travel farther for appointments. Longer travel distances can mean taking time away from work or school, arranging transportation, or delaying routine healthcare altogether.

Preventive care is most effective when it’s accessible. Routine screenings, birth control appointments, STI testing, and annual exams all play an important role in maintaining overall health.

Education Is Healthcare

One of Planned Parenthood’s longest-standing roles has been education.

For generations, health centers have helped people better understand their bodies, reproductive health, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, healthy relationships, and pregnancy planning. Many patients receive their first comprehensive reproductive health education through conversations with healthcare providers.

Accurate, evidence-based education empowers people to make informed decisions about their health and seek care when they need it.

A Larger Trend Across Iowa

The Iowa City closure comes as many communities continue to experience broader healthcare access challenges.

Across Iowa, maternity care has become increasingly difficult to access in many regions as labor and delivery units have closed and provider shortages have grown. Some communities now require patients to travel significant distances for prenatal care, labor and delivery services, or specialized reproductive healthcare.

When healthcare options become more limited, preventive care often becomes more difficult to obtain. Delayed screenings, postponed appointments, and reduced access to reproductive healthcare can have lasting impacts on individuals, families, and communities.

Understanding the Full Picture

Reproductive healthcare includes far more than one medical service.

It includes contraception, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, pregnancy care, fertility counseling, menopause care, preventive exams, patient education, and many other services that millions of Americans rely on every year.

As Iowa’s healthcare landscape continues to evolve, understanding what services are available—and where patients can access them—is an important part of supporting informed healthcare decisions.

Whether someone is seeking routine preventive care, education, or specialized reproductive healthcare, access remains a key component of a healthy community.